Tennis: Sinner to Face Navone in First Match of Comeback

Rome: World number one Jannik Sinner is set to face world number 70 Mariano Navone of Argentina in the second round of the Italian Open on Saturday. This match marks Sinner’s return to competitive tennis following a three-month suspension due to a doping violation.

According to Ansa News Agency, Navone, aged 24, secured his place in the second round by defeating Italy’s 18-year-old Federico Cinà, who is ranked 323rd in the world, with a score of 6-3, 6-3 during the first round of the Internazionali d’Italia on Thursday.

Sinner, a 23-year-old from South Tyrol, has previously won the US Open once and the Australian Open twice. He has expressed his determination to return to the sport, stating he is “not afraid” to compete again following the clostebol steroid incident. Sinner is eager to assess his current level of play.

To prepare for his comeback, Sinner practiced with world number seven Casper Ruud of Norway on Thursday, indicating his readiness to re-enter the competitive scene.